Ivan O'Brien, managing director of O'Brien Press, said yesterday: "There has been a very positive reaction from teachers and parents, who see Blood upon the Rose as an excellent introduction to this important event.

"A graphic novel dealing with Irish history was quite a departure for us and we are absolutely delighted with the hugely positive reaction.

"At a recent book signing in Chapters bookshop in Dublin, it was wonderful to see grandfathers and grandsons queuing to get their copy signed -- an indication of the wide-ranging appeal of this book."

The book was drawn by 73-year-old Mr Hunt, who worked for years as an architect with the Industrial Development Agency (IDA) before turning to drawing political cartoons and comics, his first love.

His late father, to whom the book is dedicated, had first-hand experience of the Rising, having been in Boland's Mills with Eamon de Valera.

"I had originally intended to do a graphic novel on the 1913 Lockout and it was my fellow artist BrenB, who coloured all my drawings for this book, who suggested doing the Rising. O'Brien Press loved the idea because they had been thinking along the same lines."

The book covers the complete story of the Rising up to the final executions and is framed around the tragic romance of Joseph Mary Plunkett and his fiancée Grace Gifford.

The novel opens as they exchange marriage vows in a cell in Kilmainham Gaol, shortly before he was executed and the story is then told in flashback.

Political graphic novels such as Maus and Persepolis have enjoyed huge international success recently. This new version of the 1916 story, which costs €13, is set to add to the bestselling genre.

Such is the interest in the book that a special exhibition based upon Blood upon the Rose will open on March 30 this year, and will be held at The Pearse Museum, Rathfarnham, Co Dublin.

The exhibition will then travel to different venues around the country.